The health of Victoria’s waterways will be improved through a revolutionary aquatic pollution centre that has been partly funded by the Brumby Labor Government.
Launching the Victorian Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management at the University of Melbourne’s Bio 21 Institute today, Environment, Climate Change and Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings said the new research would be deployed across 60 freshwater and estuary sites.
“Our inland waterways and estuaries are important to all Victorians which is why the Brumby Labor Government is taking action to ensure they are healthy and productive for farmers, recreational users as well as industry,’’ Mr Jennings said. “River health has a broad effect on various industries that rely heavily on waterways for productivity.”
“Over the past 10 years we’ve invested nearly $4 billion in innovation-related initiatives which is strengthening our research capabilities and creating jobs,”
“They provide an estimated $368 million of benefits a year as a source of recreational activities such as fishing, water sports and camping, with river-dependent tourism and fishing expenditure worth an additional $533 million a year.
“Millions of people use our waterways each year and river health has a broad effect on various industries that rely heavily on waterways for productivity.
“The Centre will draw on Victoria's internationally-recognised water-related science expertise to develop comprehensive tools for identifying and analysing inland waterway pollution.
“The information will then be used to develop remedial actions that will help improve waterway health, greater biodiversity and environmental and industrial sustainability on more than 80 per cent of our waterways.”
The Brumby Labor Government will provide $2.98 million from Victoria’s Science Agenda Investment Fund over three years, with additional funding contributed by partners Melbourne Water, the Department of Primary Industries and the EPA.
Mr Jennings said the Centre will enhance Victoria’s reputation as a leader in science and technology and also establish the state as Australia’s pre-eminent aquatic pollution identification, research and management centre.
“Over the past 10 years we’ve invested nearly $4 billion in innovation-related initiatives which is strengthening our research capabilities and creating jobs,” he said.
The Victorian Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management will work in conjunction with The University of Melbourne’s Bio 21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, Melbourne Water, Victoria’s Department of Primary Industries, RMIT, the EPA and the CSIRO.
The Centre’s research will be distributed through Melbourne Water, the Department of Primary Industries, the Department of Sustainability and Environment, the EPA and seven Catchment Management Authorities.